Contractors may soon be required to become tattletales — on themselves.

The Oxford Board of Aldermen is reviewing a proposed change to the city’s erosion control ordinance that would require contractors to contact the city to report any failed erosion control measures and immediately begin correcting the problem.

“If they get to a job and see one of the silt fences failed, they must report it to us immediately,” said Assistant City Engineer Reanna Mayoral, who presented the ordinance change for a first reading last week at the aldermen’s regular meeting. “If not, they could receive two violations — one for the failed fence and one for not contacting the city.”

One alderman asked what “immediately” meant.

“I would say within the hour,” Mayoral replied.

Doing a better job

Currently, the ordinance reads that if a failure is discovered a contractor has 48 hours to correct the issue.

Some aldermen stated that many contractors need to do a better job overall about erosion control.

“We’ll get a big rain event and the fences aren’t maintained and then we get another big rain and the fences are too full and fail,” said Alderman Mark Huelse.

“I think some sit them there for looks,” added Alderman Janice Antonow.

A second reading and public hearing on the ordinance change will be held at 5 p.m. on Aug. 1 at City Hall.